Locking device for automobiles



J. I. WINGH'ELL.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION nun NOV-.8. 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lv M A TTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

I. I. WINCHELL.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV; 8. I9I9.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVEN TOR. I

MW. M ATTORNEYf.

UNITED STATES PAT JAMES I. WINCHELL, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR auromonrnns.

Application filed November To all whom may concern 1 Be it known that 1,JAMES I. Wmonnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport,in the county of Scottand State of Iowa, have invented certain new anduse ful Improvements in Locking Devices for Automobiles, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention has reference to locking devices for automobiles, and aimsto provide a simple and efficient, looking apparatus for attachment withthe usual clutch-lever of the vehicle, so as to prevent the operationthereof for the purpose of starting the car.

It is specially adapted for use witlrautomobiles in which theelutclrleveris forced forwardly, but can also be adapted for use in.those wherein the lever moves downwardly in operating, as will behereinafter pointed out. a

My invention is of a construction which enables it to be readilypositioned for use, the attaching parts being so arran ed and connectedthat they cannot be etached while the device is in a locking osition.

The particular construction, arrangement, and operation of the variousparts of the invention will be more fully apprehended from the followingspecification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying thesame, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention, showing its positionwhen. in use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention, detached. Fig. 3is a side view thereof. Fig. 4 illustrates the shackle member by meansof which the device is held in place. Fig. 5 is an edge view of thelocking member, with the shackle removed. Fig. 6 is a similar plan viewthereof. Fig. 7 shows the locking end of the arm 11, with a modifiedform thereof.

1 represents a fractional part of the footboard of an automobile, 2 thesteering-post, 3 the clutch-lever, and 4 the head or pedal thereof. Thelocking mechanism is adapted to be secured to the lower part of thesteering-post by means of a shackle formed of semi-circular portions 5and 6, hingedly united as at a. The part 5 has a projection 7, in whichis rigidly seated a bolt 8, preferably by being formed inwardly withsaid pro ect1on. The part 6 is provided with a perforated extension 9,adapted to receive the bolt 8, which is held therein by a nut 10. Theprojections 7 and 9 and loops Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

s, 1919. Serial No. aaaeaa.

5 and 6 are thus held in locked relation, and when said loops areinclosing the steering-post, as shown in Fig. 1, they cannot be removedexcept by disengaging the nut 10. 11 is an arm provided with a dividedhead 12, formed of two parts, united by a pin 13,- which is irremovablyheld in place therein, as, for instance, by bein formed integrally withsaid head. Said pin is adapted to be held in an opening formed partly at14 in the projection 7 and partly at 15 in, the extension 9. At itsopposite end the arm 11 is provided with a lock 16, which is preferablyconstructed as an integral part thereof, and has a hasp 17 for ngagementwith the lever 3 just below the tread thereof. lVhen the parts 7 and 9are closed, with. the pin 13 in position therein, the arm 11 is heldswingingly. thereby, so as to be permitted a limited movement at oneside of said parts, as shown in Fig. 2,.

and in broken lines in Fig. 1.

It will be obvious that when the hasp 17 is locked about the lever 3, itwill be impossible to actuate said lever, 01' to put into operation themechanism for starting the car. When the owner of the car desires to usethe same, he unlocks the hasp, and swings the arm to the side out of theway. Said arm is held in such inoperative position by means of a spring18, connecting such arm with the dashboard of the car at a point nearthe steering-post.

On the inner edge of the arm 11 is a ringshaped projection 19, whichincloses the nut 10 when the arm 11 is locked to the lever 3, andprevents the same from being removed or tampered with. It will beapparent, therefore, that when the arm 11 is locked to the lever 3,there is no possibility of the shackle being disconnected from thesteering-post, nor can the arm 11 be detached at the pivotal endthereof.

To place the device in position for use, the shackle is opened,andcaused to embrace the steering-post, with the hinge of said shackle inrear of the post. The head 12 is then slipped over the extension 9 untilthe pin 13 is seated in the recess 12, whereupon the parts 7 and 9 areclosed, and fastened together. The device can then be used as long asdesired, without the necessity of removing the same after having beenused.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modification of the device, wherein the outer endof the arm 11 is provided with an upwardly projected angle-plate 20, anda downwardly extended has been shown and; referred to herein as beingintegral W1tll'Sl10h-ELID1,.1t Will be emdent that it neednot-necessarily be, as such lock can be separately constructed, andsuitably; connectedwith the endof the arm.

What I claim and desireto secure, is: '1. Adevice of the classdescribed, comprising a: SlRLCklG fOImBd of two parts, hingedly united,adapted, to embrace the steering post of: an automobile and providedwith complementary projections; means for fastening said. projections;together; an arm swingingly mounted in: said projections and provided:with means for inclosing the fastening means thereof when said arm is ina locking position, to prevent release of said fastening'means; and alock on the free end of said arm, adapted for engagement with theclutch-lever of. an automobile, to hold the same from movement.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a shackle, formed of twoparts hingedly united, adapted to embrace the steering post of anautomobile and provided with complementary projections; means forfastening said projections together; an arm swingingly mounted in saidprojections and provided with means for preventing the re lease of saidfastening means when said arm is in a locking position; a lock on thefree end. of said arm, adapted for engagement with the clutch-lever ofan automobile; and means for holding said arm out of locking position.

3. A device of the class described, compri 'nga shackle, formed of twoparts hingedly united, adapted to embrace the steering post of anautomobile and provided with projecting ends; means for fastening saidends together; a swinging member supported irremovably in said ends, andprovided with means for preventing the release of said fastening meanswhen said swinging member is in a locking position; means for lockingsaid swinging memberto the clutch-lever of an automobile; and meanscarried by said swinging member, adapted to be interposed between thepedal of said clutch-lever and the floor of the automobile.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES I. WINCHELL.

